Peace

Friday, December 21, 2007

Long ago I learned that it doesn't do any good to analyze people. Free will, bad days, good days, happenings, reactions, and the general moods and attitudes we're all free to have and change always make any prediction from analysis completely unreliable. For this reason I have long been in the habit of analyzing myself too much.

There are times - long periods of time - where I think all of us fall into a funk of self-analysis. For some people it takes the form of melancholy, for others such as myself, these periods manifest themselves in the form of quiet contemplation.

From August until the beginning of December I've been in such a funk. I learned a lot, but it was time to come out of it. Unfortunately there aren't many ways to bring yourself out. Someone has to throw you a rope. If you're ready to take it you will.

Jacqueline Magne threw me a rope. I took it.

It is at this point I have to say I have always felt a strong attraction to the "que sera sera" cultural attitude that is prevalent south of the US-Mexico border. Life really isn't about getting things done. It's about living life.

One cold, hard fact is that if everyone in our lives were gone tomorrow and replaced by other people, we would care as much about the new people as we did about the first. True, there would be gaping holes of yearning and emptiness, but for the lucky among us (i.e. those who let it happen) the right people would eventually fill those as well.

This migration of very special people in and out of our physical lives happens to all of us over the span of our years of living. Our memories are full of faces, situations, and things we've been told or that have happened to us that make us smile - or that make us hurt inside or doubt ourselves. This migration is a slower transition at times than it is at others. In SL our hearts and our minds move so swiftly as our lives are touched by many and various individuals it is often startling.

Through it all, although we must always search for more, the only constant we have in our lives is ourselves.

Ouch.

So, Jacqueline threw me a much-needed rope and took me dancing. It was, in the grand scheme of things, quite a surprise when she took me for a salsa dance and, as we danced she described in stream-of-consciousness style the meaning of the dance and the meaning of the words to the songs that were created for the dance.

"Hearts synchronizing to one beat as the music lays in the background. You're so lost in each other's touch that you neglect to notice everyone's left you two on the dance floor. Eyes penetrate beyond the body flirtacious and sensuously wondering "how can this dance become so intimate..so addictive?" It's a mixture of the right ingredients: emotional, spiritual and physical alignment all in one passionate moment of bodies dancing to one rhythm.

"Small decription of what salsa represents for me. I imagine dancing in the heat of the dance floor.. you know.. rising through your body , a tiny drop of sweat sliding down my back. My hair in my face, red dress that...

"So as Jacqueline dances.. all these thoughts go through her head... He pulls her closer to his body, feeling the warm skin against his his hands slide down the sides of her legs, outlining her curves as they move to one, as they move as one, his breath on her shoulders... She feels the tingle rush down her body, her hair in his face... The intoxicating smell of passion arousing their bodies, their senses. He has the urge to pull her closer, making her part of him. It all just blends perfectly like the moon between the sun and earth in an eclipse.

It was a metamorphic moment of realization that it's about the celebration of yourself because all the above insists *THAT* is what people must do because que sera sera, what will be will be.

Amandote! is one of those pieces that, when it was complete, and when it became to say what I had learned, and when it became to illustrate the coming together of the individuals with much to give and needing much to take, and when it became to show the anticipation and filling and fulfillment, and when it even became to celebrate its own "flaws" I did not intentionally put there (and intentionally did not fix because I needed those flaws because analysis must be defied), tears happened, as they sometimes do when I feel something become so absolutely right for me.

Somewhere in the dreaming during the creation I felt the only right way to give this was to gift it, as Jacqueline, as Skinkie, as Tayzia, as Alanna, as Harper, as others had gifted me with shared dance to refill and remind me as the piece was created.

I told Tayzia that its cost would be a hug. It was a decision I made halfway through its design. In this it would be a gift anyone can give as reward for reminding us: Even though ourselves are our only constant, there is deep love and appreciation for those who pass through our lives and touch us.

Tayzia sent Desdemona Enfield my way. Desdemona appeared, spoke techie to me in such a way that it touched my man-parts (the mental ones), then she went away and, within a couple days, came back with a working hug gifter server thingy! She so believed in the idea that she contributed the means by which the whole world could share Amandote! So Desdemona, in turn, has given much to me and to you.

I made the hugger and put Desdemona's scripts in it.

The hugger, when worn, by default attaches to the left pec and sits deep inside the left breast. The design is inspired by the heart of a friend that was in my safekeeping because it had been hurt too many times. And do you see also.... "Oz didn't give nothing to the tin man that he didn't already have" - America. I have always believed there is valor in letting someone know they're loved. So the hugger itself is, to me, trust, protection, giving, needing, taking.

Tomorrow December 22nd, 2007 , the day of the night of the winter solstice, from 8am SLT until 10am SLT, I will be over at Popeyes club hugging everyone I can get my hands on. Each hug will gift one random color set of Amandote! It may take people 30 hugs to get all 18 colors, but all the better. Popeyes, which is managed by my dear and scrumptious friend Skinkie Winkler, will have the first available hug kiosk that gives free hug attachments that gift Amandote! to those who mean so much to you today. The jewelry can be transferred, but not modified or copied. The huggers are no mod/no transfer, so the only place to get a hugger is from the kiosk.

After the event at Popeyes I will put in my profile the location of hugger-distribution kiosks, which will likely only be available at WorthWhile in Ode.

Since I have done a terrible job here by fashion blog standards I want to save grace by mentioning that Nicky Ree is creating salsa dresses inspired by Amandote! I have no doubt they will be amazing for us all.

When eventually you are gifted with Amandote! I hope you take a moment to rejoice in the lessons of past pains, smile at past joys, embrace who you are today, and just let tomorrow happen to you as it will while you Celebrate Yourself.

I do wonder if maybe I'm a "good" type of workaholic, if there is a good type. I don't think of any of this as work at all. Would you?

Monday, September 17, 2007

I could rightly say I am not a very practiced flirt, but I can also say I have seen some of the best in SL in action. In a world famously proud of its sexuality that is saying a lot. I do hope I can pay back the favor with the unmistakable innuendo of this piece called Rendezvous.

As with all my work all the prims of Rendezvous are naked; without paint, without covering, without shielding of any kind; completely vulnerable and fully in view and ready for touch. It is the only way to let the light tickle them just right. The prims are intertwined to mimic positions of bodies in the act of understanding and accentuating the other in a rocking rhythm all the way around. At most times only small portions of prims are touching each other. Still at other times they are surrounded by one another just being what they are for the sake of their partner.

When I asked a model to show Rendezvous to me on her body I was pleasantly surprised at what she suddenly offered. When she slipped the necklace around her neck and laid it across her bare breastbone the sun seemed to actually writhe and wiggle up and down the length of the piece. I stared. The deeper she breathed, the more rhymic the glisten. The faster the strobe the more hypnotized I had become. By wearing it she had given it a white hot life of its own.The room key heaved up and down, up and down between her splendid breasts and I could swear I saw her heartbeat in her neck. I wanted nothing other than to insert that key into its lock.

The model raised her chin, in my mind offering her neck. When she did the earrings purred with light dripping from her earlobes. Her tapered fingers tightly grasped the ring of bright white diamond which I realized suddenly encircled her wrist as a bracelet...

"Random? Random?" she called to me...

Naughty boy.

For a long time now, people have been asking me for a diamond necklace. Unfortunately, prim limits on a single linked item, such as a necklace, have prevented it. The baguette diamond is new, and at 9 prims it allows me to create, finally, a diamond necklace. What does a diamond mean? How much sensuality is really in a diamond? I have decided that a diamond is not only pure sensuality, but also magnificent sexuality.

Friday, July 6, 2007

For those who have been speculating, WorthWhile is not a piece of jewelry. WorthWhile is a gallery where the building itself is untextured sculpture. It is named from Harry Winston's famous quote "People will stare. Make it worth their while."

So let's do that.

At 7pm SLT, July 6th, 2007 (that's tonight) I am opening the doors to the WorthWhile gallery. It wouldn't be a strange thing, except that I've always had my work in a single vendor, which has been complained about, sometimes adamantly, by many because it is not user friendly.

But WorthWhile is more than that. I didn't want to create something just part way.

I have realized that my $L2,500 pieces in my vendor in the past have set somewhat of a trend. I had followed the recommendations of those who follow my work. They wanted the prices higher, so I brought them higher. Is it worth more? Maybe. Does more work go into each piece? Probably. Is it valued higher? Definitely.

But please hear me out. Before I introduced extreme detail jewelry to Sl for $L1800 a set most jewelry was $L50-$L250 throughout SL. When I brought my prices up and kept them there most of the jewelers in SL followed after a few months. Unfortunately they (some, not all) kept their prices up and did not improve their quality. So all of SL has become accustomed to expensive jewelry of very poor quality.

So... I am going back to the pricing of my days in Olive where you could get a nice set of jewelry from me for $L250. The quality will remain very high, but the prices are anywhere from $L25 for a nice pair of earrings to match your Wish set, to $L1000 for a full set of Ice Queen.

There are some pieces, like Little Jimmy Brown, which will be put out in another location later off by themselves.

But right now it's back down to earth for you, Random old boy. Remember your beautiful cave in Olive.

Welcome all to WorthWhile. I hope you enjoy the new styles that have just opened up to you.

Monday, July 2, 2007

The creation of Wish coincides closely with the debut of the long awaited (and belated) "Worthwhile", which will soon be unveiled. Another announcement is pending which I will discuss later in this post.

THE CONCEPTFirst, and most important, I want you to know how this came about since it has actually been a couple of years in the making. In August 2005 Karamel Madison approached me when I had my studio in Olive. She had become familiar with my limited concept creations such as The Eboness and The Kiss Within the Cup. She sent me an IM one day, explaining that when she was a little girl she used to wish upon a star and it had become such a part of her that if I could do a piece on that concept it would be wonderful.

I tried. The concept in my mind wasn't quite there, and even if it had been, I don't think my skills were where they needed to be. I understood exactly what she was saying, but that isn't enough. Inspiration was needed. Inspiration is that which fills the gap between an idea and ability to make that idea into reality.

I did make the Andromeda earrings and the star on that idea, but that was as far as I could go. That is why the Andromeda earrings have always been there with nothing to match them. As much as I do like how the Andromeda earrings came out, to draw a 5 pointed star is in no way the same thing as having a star to wish upon. The Andromeda star says nothing about wishing, whether it is a nice piece technically or not.

It wasn't until about 2 months ago when Amelia Balczo unintentionally handed me the answer. It came in the form of an energy. It is almost impossible to explain, but I will try. Some of you are aware that when I build I usually go and build and don't come up for air for quite a while. I had been working on "Ode to Caledon" and had finally finished the complete set. What I needed was a break. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I was positive I didn't want to build any more that day. That can only mean it's time to go dancing!

None of my preferred dance partners were online.

When it comes to dancing there are limited places to go. I have gone to great lengths in the past to find a place to dance that suits me. Which place I go to generally depends on my mood and who I am with. Phat Cats plays a whole lot of the Rod Stewart-type jazz, which gets old to me, but not in a good old-timey sort of way. The Blue Note plays a better mix of the old-timey jazz and the new music too, but there is almost never anyone there who is available to dance, but I do go there and hang out as the stand in piano player once in a while; just me and the slim cat. Jade's Jazz Lounge plays an excellent mix of jazz and contemporary soft music, mixing some of the up-beat contemporary in there here and there. To summarize; Blue Note is where I go if I want to continue to be alone and just sit at the piano while I catch up with IMs, or I actually have a date. Jades is where I go if I have a date and want good music. And Phat Cats is where I go if I just want to be in the middle of a crowd and take my chances at the random dance partner. Before asking anyone to dance I always read through their profile carefully, making assumptions about them by the groups they belong to.

I ended up at Phat Cats asking Amelia Balczo to dance while she was AFK. She didn't answer, of course. After asking I'm not going to go ask someone else until they answer, even if its an hour wait. That wouldn't be right. I had read her profile carefully (as most discerning men do) and made all my assumptions, which I was curious if she would verify or prove wrong. I decided it was worth the wait and had a seat next to her while she took care of her RL obligations.

When Amelia came back she accepted my dance offer on the stipulation that she may go AFK once in a while while we danced. That's an opportunity for me to catch up on my IMs or rummage through my inventory or go a little AFK myself, so I agreed.

Amelia turned out to be a very interesting woman who is sharp and ambitious. But there is more to her than meets the eye. Without going into much detail, suffice it to say that our discussion on more etherial topics just hit me and made Wish obvious. I wasn't looking for it, and the whole subject of "wish upon a star" hadn't entered my conscious mind for months, although I had tried to fully understand Karamel's request for almost two years. In truth, it is as if Amelia sent it to me intentionally when both our guards were down.

I really can't thank the two of them, Karamel and Amelia, enough. I feel as if I have received my own wish.

THE BUILD

There isn't much to say about the actual building of Wish, except to explain that hours upon hours went into experimentation of how to get exactly the right intensity of light from each star in the piece to match the stars in each real constellation. As expected, there are no textures, with the exception of invisible, in the piece so I could play with the light as I needed to. Looking into the sky at night it was obvious that it had to look like a very simple piece. It is a simple piece, but how it turned out simple, and not a jumble, is rather complex.

The necklace contains different constellations than the bracelet, and no zodiacal constellations on purpose. This was not to be a "zodiac" piece. Below on the star map are photos of the constellations themselves as I made them that were built in.

The bracelet was to contain none of the same constellations as the necklace, and also no zodiacal constellations:

The earrings, which people get to choose, come in four non-zodiac constellations, but are available in every zodiac constellation, for a total of 16 variations.

I will point out that with the earrings there is little difference between the left and the right ones. I did this intentionally - not to save work, but because I realize that any constellation looked at from behind no longer exists. So keeping as close to reality as possible I kept the constellation intact so the wearer knows that they are displaying a merger of both science and art. This is something I have only done with one other piece - Vincent's Unified Theory (below), created for a physicist I once met.

Another piece was added, long after the rest was completed. it is the corona. The corona contains constellations previously created.

I suppose it is here I should mention that there is a dark matter version of Wish, or "Wish Antimatter".

For those reading my blog I will go a little further into detail of recent happenings now that Wish is released before WorthWhile and why that happened. Credit must be given where credit is due.

THE RELEASESome of you have noticed that Nicky Ree and I have been testing our ability to collaborate. She had done such a perfect job with her spring collection to match "Ode to Caledon" that I explained "Wish" to her before I made it. She began formulating her own ideas for it. Since she hand-paints her own textures she has a lot of leeway for her own creativity and inspiration.

When only the Wish necklace existed she tested it and found it to be light and delicate and an inspiration for the most extreme elegance in gowns. She worked hard to create exactly the perfect gown for the jewelry. I think she succeeded admirably.

Decked out in her Wish gown and jewelry she then talked with Tigerlily Koi, of Calla Hair while she waited for me to open WorthWhile. I am very slow and deliberate and don't hurry much of anything, unlike the pros like Nicky and Tigerlily. But in the gown and jewelry Tigerlily instantly "saw" the hairstyle she knew she had to create.

When Nicky and Tigerlily were ready, I had to admit it was time to release Wish. It can be found next to Tigerlily's display at Calla Hair, and also next to Nicky's Wish dresses. I recently put it on the wall next to my vendor in Kandinsky too.

I noticed that Nicky has been calling it "Constellations". That is all right by me. I call it "Wish" because that is why I made it for Karamel and why there is a falling star on the necklace right where it needs to be. It's never just about the jewelry.

And just to see who is looking closely, in Nicky's photos of new releases she also shows another piece of my jewelry I haven't announced or released. Can you spot what it is? This was also brought out at Nicky's Fashion Show on Sunday, July 1st where a good time was had by all, including myself, until I crashed right at the finale.

Another mention is that during the big Ode hunt on IBM's SOA Adventure Island a couple of weeks ago I placed one set of Wish jewelry in one of the thousand or so butterflies on the island. The lucky Ms Aradia Dielli found it. :)

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Compassion is contageous, I believe. I also believe compassion is a trait we share with our animal cousins. With this I feel that the ability to organize ourselves around this deep feeling within ourselves is also a shared instinct. Being human, being humanitarian, gives us the unique ability to organize with intelligence and a network of complexity that allows truly amazing things to happen; "Miracles", of willpower can win over the odds.

When we, as a species, are confronted with, and each personally devistated by, an affliction such as cancer, acts of seemingly random compassion take place in villages, towns and cities around the world until we are each touched and inspired by them. Individually we yearn to do something about it and we reach out until we find the collective that can and will have the greatest impact.

To expand further, the phenomenon that is Relay For Life in Second Life, brings out the best in a new world teeming with individuals who do not fear admitting they love one another, and thank each other daily for being part of one another's lives. One can only imagine the impact such shared emotion can have if we all contribute, just a little as we can.

The RFL Heart and Soul jewelry set is my contribution, appealing for your contribution so that you and I and *WE* together can make a difference. Aside from its brooch, which is for all to wear to show their support, the only means of obtaining the jewelry is to contribute to Relay For Life where your contribution will go toward fighting the affliction of cancer which touches us all in some way.Contact one of the RFL representitives, starting with Tayzia Abattoir, to learn how you can contribute and show your dedication to this cause by purchasing the full RFL Heart and Soul jewelry set.

In the meantime, feel free to display this symbol of hearts and souls coming together in wonderful ways by wearing the free RFL Heart and Soul brooch. Compassion is contageous and never out of season. You never know who you might inspire to the cure, and who you might inspire to live.

Friday, June 15, 2007

I am adding to the previous post (below) to try to describe the incredible weekend I had, but this one photo of the lovely Chelsea Grigg sums up what it was all about. I can add no more but my heartfelt thanks to everyone! A special thank you goes to Anita Cassini, our hostess, and the work she and her team at IBM put into making the SOA Adventure Island the perfect venue.

(adding to my post as the day goes by)And here is another photo of beautiful Babydoll among the butterflies. I gave Babydoll a headpiece in Salmon and Peach so she can remember:

A chart of all the colors of Ode was requested during the hunt. Here it is for anyone who wants it:

*IMPORTANT NEWS* I had mentioned Ode in a previous post the creation of a set of jewelry called Ode to Caledon. On Saturday the 16th of June, the IBM SOA Adventure Island (http://slurl.com/secondlife/SOA%20Adventure%20Island/217/216/23) will open to select groups. The RC New Jewelry Hotline group will get a 15 minute head start at 6:45am SLT. Here are the particulars from the organizer of the hunt:

One SIM, 368 pieces of jewelry hidden in ButterfliesGrab your net - Find them all - Trade - Build a set

ODE to Caledon Butterfly HuntIn IBM SOA Adventrure Island WebSphere, we have hidden 388 pieces of jewelry in butterflies. Three sets each: ODE Amber, ODE Amber and Crimson, ODE Amber and Emerald, ODE Amber and Rose, ODE Crimson and Golden, ODE Crimson and Scarlet, ODE Emerald and Rose, ODE in Navy, ODE in Navy and Emerald, ODE Navy and Crimson, ODE in Salmon and Pink, ODE Lavender and Rose, ODE In Twilight, ODE in Living Ivory and one set of ODE In Shade of Golden.

Each buterfly has on piece of jewelry (Necklace, Pendant, Brooch, Bracelet, Ring, Earring (L), Earring (R) and Hair piece. Catch as many butterflies as you can. Use them alone or trade with others and build a set.

This is a sneak peek of SOA Adventure Island - WebSphere which will offiicially open next week. IBM SOA Adventure Island (216, 213,23) will only be open to Ode Butterfly Collectors, RC New Jewelry Hotline, SOA Land, Eightbar, Independent State of Caledon, Nicky Ree, and Ballroom Club groups. Join now.

There is also a collectors group called "Ode Butterfly Collectors" already started by one of my great and longtime friends Rhyme Gardner. It is her vision that people in the group can trade the bits and pieces they get of their sets to complete their collections. The group is open and free to join.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

In the fall of 2005 SL had very little to offer in the way of organized entertainment for those who enjoy the polite companionship of another. Clubs were almost exclusively the kind where "Howlzzzzzz" are shouted, the music is hard, and the particle emissions and lag are extreme. I had searched the existing metaverse far and wide for somewhere I could simply dance with a lady.

At that point my land was in Olive which was home to an exceptional build created by Oliva Delvecchio, one of the most visually creative people I had or have ever met in Second Life. My studio was a cave beneath a tranquil pond. Its entrance was on the side of a cliff overlooking the bay in Slate. I had the beginnings of a gallery on the land, but preferred creating jewelry over setting up the gallery. I loved my location and I miss it still. Shack Dougal took some very good photos of the build and they are here, including a photo of the ballroom in mid-build.

One of my longtime friends at that point was PetMe Petunia, a highly intelligent, desirous, and rather exciting woman with the special gift of social ingenuity. Pet had always urged me to continue creating beyond the level I had ever gone before. To me she personified the existing club scene. She was also an avid collector of everything I made.

At the same time I realized the type of soothing venue that was missing for me, I met a beautiful friend named Feather. Feather is the creator and purveyor of The Garden. Search for it and enjoy. She and I shared our mutual love of the emotional journeys mapped out by Enya, Clannad, and other like musicians. I also have a deep respect for Spanish classical guitar and various classical piano pieces.

It was inevitable that the creative powers began to flow. When that happens permanency doesn't matter anymore. All that had been before were sandcastles for the waves. I stripped my land of the beautiful build Oliva had created. My studio was no more. The land was flattened and on the top of the cliff overlooking the bay of Slate I built, and Feather textured and influenced in many ways the RC Grand Ballroom.

I believe it was the first Grand Ballroom in SL, although shortly after its opening others appeared, some of which are astounding in their beauty. I like to fool myself into thinking this one inspired theirs, if only slightly.

The opening of the ballroom, which took 3 months to build, was anticipated for between Christmas 2005 and New Years day 2006. We had work to do.

For the ballroom opening I created the exclusive Gatsby necklace, earrings and bracelet, which set the mood for the venue. Everyone who attended the opening, male and female, received a set. Once the ballroom had been built and we were working on the landscaping I spent hours just looking around the building and soaking it in. The ballroom and its anticipated elegance inspired The Gatsby.

But I wanted content. A building and a piece of jewelry did not meet my definition of deep content. For this I looked to PetMe Petunia who had a way about her that could inject sensuality into even the most steeled minds. There was once a living woman who was well known for the same talent. She had made sexuality a whispered high society open secret. Her name was Mata Hari.

The more I studied Mata the more I saw the parallels between her and Pet. To this day I don't believe Pet knows she inspired the entire set. She holds Crimson Mata Hari #1, but feels I gave it to her because she had watched others receive a #1 even though she and I had been very good friends for a long time. She felt she was due. How Mata Hari like of her. :) #1 has always gone to the muse. If she reads this she'll probably hate me for saying this.

As an aside, I am of the opinion that Mata Hari was not at all guilty of spying. I came to believe she was, instead made a scapegoat for the failings of the French government during the war. And for bringing sexuality out into the open she was considered a threat to decent society. Her high profile life and media-exploited execution accomplished three things: 1) It put fear into any potential spies. 2) It put fear into any potential threats to decent society. 3) It made the French citizens think their government was doing something about the war - although it is questionable whether they actually thought that. I also think she liked to have high powered men at her whim and had no real political leanings. But that is just my take on it. I believe people see the truth, even if they don't dare whisper it.

I have to apologize to Feather here, since when I was creating these two sets and the puzzle, I was not able to give her my full attention and the well earned praises we had both come to enjoy during the ballroom building period. She was, and always has been, only gracious about that. She has always understood and accepted me at a very basic level.

The puzzle behind the Mata Hari became a bit of an obsession for me. The dates of the original letters are the be read in order, and I hope the fear I felt about her possible fate can be heard in the background. Also in the background I hope those who follow it can see that Mata had become a muse of the most untouchable kind and my hopeful romanticism, even a the risk of making a fool of myself, is glimpsed.

I did not want the puzzle to be easy. I did not want it to become impossibly difficult either. If a piece was found it had to be felt like it had been earned. This was not a free set at all. I don't think anyone but me has ever called it "free".

There has been some concern by solvers that the puzzle seemed to deviate somewhat from the original story. I have had many opportunities to change that but always come back to the thought that the puzzles themselves were between me and Mata, so they shouldn't reference anything but themselves, as their origins were between she and I. So I never changed it.

I should mention, before I confuse anyone further, the Mata Hari puzzle reward jewelry comes in silver and black and is unlimited. The limited Crimson Mata Hari, of which the entire set is limited to 10 in existence, comes in crimson and black. To me the crimson reveals the fate of the woman.

When the puzzle was created and "installed" in the ballroom, Feather helped make sure the permissions were correct. I placed it such that someone who just wandered around checking the contents of all the prims in the build probably wouldn't find more than a piece or two. Having never hosted anything, I was quite nervous and not looking forward to the opening night at all. I had invited everyone on my friends list at the time, which was about 100 people. I feared too many people would show up and I feared too few.

Dances at that time were mostly the kind where you held on to one another and spun in a circle, rather than actually moving across the floor with the stepping of the dancers. A couple of those existed, but not many. I spent day after day scouring SL to get as many and varied dances of appropriate action for the ballroom.

Tayzia Abattoir had provided me with the Grand Piano that stood on the stage at the far end. Classical paintings lined the walls.

When the night came I was delighted that the turnout was just right. Everyone had arrived in their suits, tuxedos and some of the most beautiful ballgowns ever created. It was truly a grand affair of high luxury and excitement.

From the stage I welcomed everyone and had three announcements to make which I had told almost nobody about beforehand. Thus the "There be surprises" statement on the invitation shown below. Those who came were there because they wanted to support the concept, not for any reward.

First, I gave every person in attendance The Gatsby as a memento they could enjoy long after the night was over. If an original Gatsby is in someone's hands today it is very likely they were at the ballroom opening that night.

Second, I announced the existence of The Mata Hari Puzzle built into the ballroom.

Third, I announced the recipients of the first 5 Crimson Mata Hari sets and I gave them out.Then we danced like we had never been able to dance in SL before. :)

It was not long after opening night that the waves carried away the sandcastle. I donated the ballroom (with some major modifications to suit the alpha sim Taber) to Tayzia Abattoir to house her long operating Crescent Moon Museum, the oldest resident run museum in SL whose quality and rarity of inventory is rivaled by no other. To this day the Crescent Mooon Museum still holds a Sunday Night Formal at 7pm SLT and the Mata Hari Puzzle within enjoys a wide following of puzzlers who, surprisingly and wonderfully keep its secrets to themselves for others to discover.

Feather, PetMe, Oliva, Tayzia: each in your own way are loved and regardless of all else will always be remembered fondly for your contribution to that period in my life.

It is almost never about the jewelry at all.

Some reviews of The Mata Hari Puzzle and its unique concept as a virtual reality puzzle in a virtual reality world, and about the frustrations and rewards of taking on its challenges can be found at:

Monday, May 21, 2007

For those of you who aren't aware, IBM has a big conference in Orlando this week called Impact 2007. I've been privileged to have been able to contribute my little bit to the content here in SL.

Sit back and I'll try to explain as best I can what this is all about as far as what I've been working on.

SOA stands for "Service Oriented Architecture". It is a means of setting up software so it doesn't require multi-millions of dollars worth of programming every time you want or need to change something.

My RL background has been pretty diverse, including electronics, programming, and some other stuff that's on my resume you don't get to see. But those two pieces of experience helped me come up with something that describes, in jewelry, the evolution toward SOA, which is a product I believe in.

Part of that background includes some understanding of boolean logic, binary, hexidecimal and miles and miles of flowcharts I've worked with over the years. It all came together in the pieces I'm about to show here.

First, the SOAlution set is a freebee. That is to say you can have it for free, but you have to do something to get it - similar to Mata Hari, but not similar to Ode. It will be standard fare at IBM's Adventure Island when it opens in probably about a week. Your point of contact for that is Anita Cassini.

Now into what this is:

Here is the SOAlutions watch. I wanted to start with this on the blog because I made an exception to my "no scripts" and "no textures" rule. The script is a clock script. The texture is the hands on the clock. These aren't BIG exceptions, but they're exceptions. The only other time I've done this is when I created the Jett Set watch in the past. But I want to be up front about it.

It's a cool watch, and this picture is upside down. hehe. At the top of the face is the number 12 in binary, and at the bottom is the number 6.

You'll see a theme as we go along here.

On the band of this watch next to the shovel-looking things are the letters "IBM" in binary translated from hex, with a twist. I'll let you figure it out. There has to be some mystery.

Those "shovel" looking things are actually boolean logic symbols. Boolean logic was invented back in the 1800's and is a way to say "if this AND that or that BUT NOT this" then.. It's just a means of explaining AND OR BUT NOT, etc. It's used in electronics and computers at their core all the time.

For those of us who are purists there's also an unscripted, untextured bracelet.

The symbols coming out of the boolean "shovels" are binary. Translated to ASCII (text) it says "SOA".

Binary is the basic language of "on" and "off", represented as 1's and 0's. With enough contortion, as computers do, they can express just about anything. It's a base 2 numbering system (there are only 2 numbers in it). Since it takes so many digits to express higher numbers we usually use Hexidecimal, or a 16 character numbering system. The well known symbol for hex is "oX" (yes, a little Hug and a big Kiss!), which is what the binary leads into on these pieces.

Here's the necklace. You can see it follows the same pattern. IBM, boolean logic, binary "SOA" followed by the symbol for hexidecimal. The hexidecimal flows into some flowcharting logic. Basically, if you follow the flowchart from the hex you run into what's known as a "nested if". A nested if is simply a way of saying "if this AND if this, then you do that". Nested ifs are notorious for their potential complexity. In this instance you get caught in a dead end data function (the trapezoid) or an infinite loop until you get to SOA - the honeycomb symbol.

The honeycomb symbol works quite well because with SOA you actually plug reusable modules of software into a whole like fitting into a puzzle, filling in blanks. The stars represent business, so as a whole you can see how IT holds up and shapes business. Yes, I'm still as full of symbolism as you've come to expect.

At the bottom of the SOA solution honeycomb pattern you find the "end process" flowcharting symbol, basically saying "done" or "I've found it" or "that's all she wrote".

Geek jewelry! How rare is that? :)

The bracelet, watch and necklace all come in male and female sizes. I did create two sets of earrings. Some of those professional types don't care for the longer earrings, so I made short ones too. Here are those:

I'm proud to say that one of the keynote speakers at the conference actually mentioned the SOAlution necklace! Thanks, Sandy!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Too much time has gone by since I posted what I've been doing. When that happens you can pretty much bet I've been pretty busy. What I have been busy on is a multi-answer question.

#1. When I was working on Ode I had spoken with Nicky Ree, the fabulous clothing designer, and shared the concept with her. She had wanted to do some work with butterflies herself. She hand painted her textures and has now introduced a butterfly inspired collection as part of her Spring Romance line that perfectly suits Ode. You may notice that on her blog in this photo of her Spring Romance line she is wearing Ode:

As you may recall, the only way to acquire Ode is to visit one of the Caledon Civic Society sponsored Butterfly Hunts. The first butterfly hunt for Ode was arranged by them and was an impromptu success. Autopilotpatty Poppy, the hostess of the hunt, had placed Pieces of Ode around her property - including in mini-prim butterflies that were flying around - and the hunters got to try to find them, catch them, and keep the pieces for their collections. Patty did a wonderful job setting it up and making sure it ran smoothly.

As far as I know that is the only hunt yet staged by the Caledon Civic Society for Ode. It is also the only way to get the set. So if you want it, contact the Society and demand more hunts. The Pieces of Ode are free. Caledon appears to be at war at the moment and so protests may be the only way to get their attention on non-war matters.

#2. Aside from the goings on with Ode, an individual I have been working closely with on a professional basis (whom I shall not name unless she permits that I do - if I would but ask) has been presented with one of probably only 3 individual one of a kind pieces I've ever done on merit. It is named "Cozcaapa" and consists of a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet. The only photo I ever took of it before presenting it was this dramatic teaser I took during its creation. As with Tayzia's "The Only Ever", I generally just don't photograph these highly specialized and personal pieces. But I may start because of this blog.

I like the photo so there it is. She (the unnamed in the background) sent her photo intended as a tease. This photo I took, although I never sent it to her, was intended to be as much a tease as she intended hers to be. The necklace changed only in that I completed it and that the princess diamond was moved to the top.

In the sacred texts of Mexican mythology Cozcaapa is the "Water of Precious Stones". It is said that the enchanters of Tezcatlipoca tried to take Quetzalcoatl's secrets of founding silver, of working precious stones, and woods, of painting and of feather working and other matters. Quetzalcoatl refused them and cast all his treasures into the fountain of Cozcaapa. (reference is here)

This piece, Cozcaapa, contains so many of my own techniques, many secret, that it is suitably named. It is also suitably owned.

#3. The WorthWhile surprise mentioned on the top of my blog for the past two months or so is in full swing. I have been working hard on that. Much of it is still design work, which takes longer than building. But I am happy with the results so far. I intend to announce its completion and availability in the 2 weeks-to-one month timeframe.

#4. Another project, which is almost completed and has been taking much of my time, is one I will talk about after the fact on here. It is quite different than my usual work. But I hope every piece is different than the last.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Hmmm. How much should I say about Rarius? It is not new. I am catching up on my chronicle of work by posting this now. The chronology can be seen in the list on the right of the blog. Top listings are recent. Bottom listings are oldest.

First of all I should mention that since I lack the ability to role play (I'm just one of those "what you see is what you get" people) I am immediately disqualified from being Gorean. I can't pretend to be one so I am not one. It keeps me out of the whole "joining" aspects of most genres. That's why my avi is just a guy; not a beast of the forest, not a warrior, not a prince, devil, merman, dragon, faerie, beam of light, Mr. Spock, the Tick Tock Man, samauri, demon (succubus or otherwise), caveman, greek god, roman god, lightning rod, water sprite, private eye, king, queen, knight, one quarter of a barber shop quartet, slave, member of the militia, evil scientist, or teapot short and stout. I'm just me.

I still am curious about all the above and what makes someone want to do these things. I like to listen and pass no judgement. I like to understand. Gor is probably one of the most misunderstood, so I had to know. After reading the first couple of books their fascination with beauty fascinated me.

I met an outstanding woman by the name of Emily Darrow who helped me learn. She was open to every question I had and gave me insightful answers. Most importantly she did not judge me for not understanding and she did not fault me for my lack of role playing ability. She is a rare person, I think.

Through reading the books of Gor and through Emily's tutilage she and I concluded that what is missing in SL Gor is cherishment. She had gone through enough false masters - those who wish only to abuse another human being - that she was on the verge of disillusionment. Gor, for those who haven't read the books, cherishes its slaves and holds their beauty in high regard above all other beauty. Gor is a savage world, but slaves are beaten or abused no more than most people on Gor, and they are never humiliated. It just isn't done.

As I listened and learned I began to understand. We surmised that what SL Gor needs, aside from the education of the populace on what Gor is, is a cultural artifact they can call their own. The artifact should express what it is to be Gorean. It should express beauty as Goreans see it.

The word "Rarius" means "Warrior" in the Gorean language. It is one of the five high castes. The color that represents the Warrior caste is red.

The picture here consists of a pair of cuffs on the left, earrings in the middle, and the collar on the right.

Slaves don't wear earrings so I haven't made these generally available.

The Gorean symbol on all these pieces is a pearl, representing the counter-earth planet, a drop of blood coming from it to represent the brutality. The brutality rains upon the castes, with the exception of the highest caste. The priest kings are represented above the planet, as are its three moons of differing orbits. A stylized "G" accompanies.

The dina, or slave flower, adorns the collar, as does the double kef symbol hanging from the collar. As has been supposed, yes there are hidden meanings and much more subtle symbolism throughout. The kef and "counter" kef are one example to consider.

Spanning the front of the collar and linking sword hilt to sword hilt is a sturdy chain, probably too small to see in this picture. It arches over the worlds as a reminder of how high the calling of servitude is on Gor.

Rarius, the collar, although it is handsomely priced, has enjoyed a very small but devout following of those who actually cherish another. For their understanding of what Rarius is I am grateful to them. The cuffs and collar come without scripts but are modifiable so anyone can add their favorite scripts. They also come without textures, as you might expect from me by now.

My short foray into Gor cost me a couple of dear friends who are anti-Gorean. It was their opinion I shouldn't "dabble" in that with which they disagree. Although I am sad to have lost them, I guess they have a different idea of friendship than I do and I wish them well.

I am very happy that Rarius exists. I thank you Emily. It could not have been so without your patient ways with me.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

To continue my previous post, "Beginnings of an Ode", I'd like to show some final photos. The set comes in a rainbow of colors so I'll show pieces from various combinations.

If you're interested in having some, well they're free. But you have to go to Caledon and talk with either Desmond Shang or Pym Sartre to find out how to get them. :)

The set still has a black and white version.

The butterfly shown here comes as 1) a brooch 2) a hair ornament and 3) as a spinal attachment pendant to the chest-attached 240+ prim necklace. The butterfly is 100 prims. The high primcount is very much because of the inlay I used and explained in my previous post.

I like the way the individual pieces turned out. They look a lot better in-world. Here's the necklace (Amber version):

The bracelet turned out a little different, and is pretty unique, I think.

This is the rose and amber version. Again, all these come in a huge variety of colors. I think I have 8 color combinations done so far. Six have gone to Caledon already. The new ones will follow as I get every four or so different combinations done. But each takes a while to recolor. Occasionally, pretty much intentionally because I've looked very closely at both butterflies and flowers before, you'll notice an odd coloring malformation - a very slight genetic glitch. I carried that over and had fun with it.

The earrings turned out pretty cute.

These are part of the navy and emerald set, obviously.

I think the ring is all that's left to show. Here is the amber version:

It's going to be hard to tell how many different colors they'll eventually be in. I'm really not going to say. I think it'll be a blast for anyone to try to collect them though. :)

Remember - Pym Sartre and Desmond Shang. They're the only ones who know how you can get these free pieces of jewelry.

This was very much fun to make. I'm more relaxed now and even shed my suit and wore coveralls for a couple of days.

I don't know yet what I'm going to make next. I guess it's time to go dancing.

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

I started on this this morning (about 5 hours, since I went to bed very early last night and got up very early this morning). It is going to be the centerpiece of a necklace.

This piece has been waiting too long and was by request of a very dear friend back in January. Or was it December? Not only have I been feeling somewhat guilty of neglecting my dearest friends for the recent goings on, but I also needed a bit of levity myself.

On one hand there is the beauty of gold and ivory. I have been lost in that for quite a while now with Little Jimmy Brown then with the tiara. Another matter entirely is the beauty of nature, which is where I have decided to get lost now. I already decided on a name for this piece with the butterfly, which will also be its theme.

The name will be simply "Ode".

It is still very early, but I think if I can make it nicer than the black and white you see here, then by the time I add color to it, it should be even better. At this moment, as little as I've thought about it, I intend to make it available in a multitude of colors because I think colors will be an obvious highlight.

I have some butterfly collections in frames I got from an oddities shop. I layed one down under my worktable and made the worktable semi-transparant so I can have a constant reminder of the anatomy of a butterfly while I work. That is the shadow you see in the background. As you can see I may or may not follow it, but it's nice to have there anyway just because.

A technique I am using in this, which I've used before but haven't seen anywhere else, is inlay. One prim is cut the exact size as the opening in another prim and used to fill the gap. In a simple sample of inlay, each of the ovals you see here are actually two or more - one inlaid in a cut in another. I kind of like the way it can be used to create highlights, as in the more complex "spiral tails" of this butterfly. As the piece progresses (it is nowhere near done) I will take advantage of that and create some much more detailed inlays than I have in this first pass. For a long time I have wanted to see what could be done with the technique in the SL building engine. That is where my mind will be for a little while - and also lost in some beautiful music that will be telling me how to lay out every next prim.

One thought I am grappling with is whether or not to leave the butterfly at two dimensions (flat) or if I should raise its wings. I trust I will know when I need to know.

Some may ask if it will be limited or unlimited. Generally, almost always, if a piece is inspired by a person then that piece is limited. Little Jimmy Brown and Trapeze were the exceptions. This one is inspired by Nature and therefore will be Unlimited.

It will probably end up unpurchasable. That is to say "earned not by money", as is another set I have out there somewhere. I will let time reveal what I mean by that, or you can ask one of the scholars of my work what it must mean.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

As has been strongly objected to by some nice people and again by some other very nice people, I concede to the actual non-existence and relative short lifespan of SL and anything in it, as well as the fact that all time we spend in there is really just temporary arrangement of a variety of ones and zeros on some hard drive on some server in San Francisco or Dallas. I persisted with this creation with the full realization this isn't worth more than perhaps a cardboard cube anyone can make. I put some time into the tiara anyway and want to let those of you who enjoy my primwork and read my blog get a first look - even before its unveiling tonight (Saturday 3/31, or 31/3 depending on your local method of expressing dates) at the Miss Second Life L'Oreal Paris pageant.

My Profit = $0,

Expense = 3 weeks on the diamond, a week and a half on the tiara

My reason = The Art and the principle of impossibility

I created it in five layers, so to see what's going on in there really takes seeing it in-world. I did take 1024x768 pics of it though so you can get some detail and try to pan around it like I do when trying to get a better look at pics on the web, only to realize it's just a pic on the web and there's no such thing as panning. :)

I am VERY curious to find out which of the lovely women will own and wear this tonight; very curious. I wish each of them the best of luck. I am certain karmic forces will make the correct decision.

Monday, March 26, 2007

To keep you posted on why you haven't seen Little Jimmy Brown in the group notice, or anywhere else for that matter I will share this link with you.

I have been busy working hard on the tiara mentioned in the link. I would like to congratulate everyone on the list of finalists, some of whom I know and some I don't. I have many friends who were in the competition trying to get to that top 20 list.

A week or so ago I had the pleasure of meeting the charming Bianca Darling of ASpiRE magazine who is bringing the pageant to us. I was thrilled and probably ran away quicker than I should have.

I have also been working on the WorthWhile surprise. When that rolls out I don't think there's anyone out there who won't be happy with the decisions I've made to make it possible, or the work I've been putting into making it happen. A tremendous amount of work has also been going into it by my dear friend Anita Cassini. As a result of events found elsewhere in this blog I have teamed up with her and am trusting her implicitly about things she knows very well and I know very little about.

Back to the title of this post... The tiara itself, although not part of the Little Jimmy Brown set will certainly go well with it. I have it about 75% completed. I was almost done with it, but Anita had the idea to "test drive" it. I called my long-time friend Ashen Coalcliff who helped show me that for this event, where the wearer will be on a runway, I needed to do a few more things with it. After a few days digesting the new information I have decided just what I'll do. I don't know what I'd do without Ashen's and Anita's help with things like that.

As a side-note, I also started experimenting with possibilities for the Great Gatsby, also mentioned in an earlier post in my blog.

Again, Congratulations to the top 20 contestants of the L'Oreal Paris - Miss Second Life pageant.

Friday, March 16, 2007

*SPOILER WARNING* - I want to wait until something is released to see it then read no further. Close your browser and go do something else. Thank you for dropping by.

I want to make sure that those of you who actually read this blog are getting what you came for. My reason for starting the blog was to keep those of you who are interested informed about my current work, even before it is released. Please keep in mind that this is just a preview of my current work, not the final version. I always adjust, sometimes dramatically, before putting anything out for anyone wear and (hopefully) be proud to call their own possession.

My last post sent you to a link that contained an old folk song officially titled "The Three Bells". The song is the story of a man by the name of Jimmy Brown (written and sung by Jim Ed Brown), whose life inspires three events of the ringing of the chapel bells in his little valley town; once at his birth, another at his wedding, and the last at his death.

Without going too far into the "who" or the "why" of my SL motivations for even thinking about creating a piece inspired both by the song and by the style of someone who has touched my mind, I do want to give a preview to those of you kind enough to point your browser and your interest in my direction.

Here is the earring, which made me think that to continue with it as a full set would be a worthy undertaking.

Last week we had an impromptu party for Fayandria Foley, a wonderful woman and survivor who was celebrating her first SL birthday (rezday). She was the first to receive these, and nobody can take that away from her. We love you, Fay.

Yes those are three chapel bell events in the earring.

When I showed this to the woman who inspired them (it isn't Fay, although she is worthy), and gave her a pair to help her understand why my head is often buried deep in my work for weeks at a time just to produce a single item such as this, she was somewhat startled. She had never mentioned it, or anything like it, but it happens that her grandfather used to sing this song to her when she was a child. I'm glad I was listening.

I do have the necklace started, but it really does take weeks - most of it in the design process of trial and error - to come up with something I am satisfied is the vision in my head. Although this will change completely I've decided to post a preview of the necklace also.

I am happy with the chain, and I am happy with the cross (including it was a conscious decision) but the triple bells may have to go away. I do not like the "batwing" effect of their being where they are. Perhaps there are just too many. I don't know what I'll do with it, but I know that as it is, it is too complicated looking from a distance. The overall effect hasn't been achieved in this as it is - not even close. I need to put the headphones on with the right music and lose myself; adjusting this and that, trying this, trying that, letting it tell me what it should become without my analyzing it to death. That's part of my challenge to myself.

Of course there will be a bracelet, and there will probably be a nice ring to match, but don't expect an armband, headpiece or navel ring. It just isn't going to happen with Little Jimmy Brown.

I do need to mention that there are changes in the air that I believe are very, very worthwhile. I do not know if this will eventually be a limited piece or not. I will have to explain that in a later post. Some of you may have noticed I have also been working on somewhat of a sculpture.

I am interested in comments, even anonymous ones, about whether you feel I should preview my work like this on the blog. Does it ruin the anticipation for you, does it intensify it, or does it even matter?

Have a beautiful day.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Added 3-19-2007

The Little Jimmy Brown necklace is done. It doesn't look like the above. I told you so. :)

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

I guess there is no lower limit on the size of a post to the blog, but I did promise to indicate my current work here on the blog. I don't have a picture for it, but I am currently working on a piece called "Little Jimmy Brown". After clicking that link I can't imagine what must be going through your minds.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

I wanted to say something about Passie Vuur today. It is probably one of my 3 favorite pieces I have done. I discovered I don't have a picture of it downloaded so instead I'll answer the question about why my gallery is gone.

Right now, if you follow one of the landmarks out there that came with Slither you'll tp into a small yellow room that has my only vendor in SL.

I suppose I should try to list all or at least some of the different things I have dipped my finger into that may still be rustling around out there.

*10% of every purchase of more than $L1 from my vendor goes to support the continuation of Yummie Olson's Primtionary. Because Primtionary so impressed me when I was young in SL I am a fanatic fan of this game, even though I seldom find the time to attend.

*When I have idle time I like to happen upon new people coming to SL, teach them how to shop, buy them their first few heads of hair, a high quality shape, a high quality skin, and a few sets of the best clothes out there, give them some jewelry and set them free.

*In my house, when I have one, I have a chest of drawers that contains all of the unlimited pieces I have made. There are four people in SL who have access to that chest of drawers and can take anything they want out of it and give it away. These are people whose judgement I trust dearly.

and the Mata Hari Puzzle, I donated the ballroom itself to the Crescent Moon Museum in Taber. The Mata Hari Puzzle continues to have regular questers.

I said "Bannister", not "bannister". There. That ought to cut down the IMs. ;)

There's more, but I prefer to ramble right now.

So yesterday a friend sent me an IM asking me if I had plans for tomorrow (the 6th) to go celebrate my birthday. Then she realized that my rezday was today, the 5th. I hadn't even noticed or remembered. Being the early-to-bed type (I get up at 3:30am to get ready for work) I only had about an hour left online.

I had just sent an IM to an architect whose services I am in need of, but he wasn't online. Then I heard from someone else that he'd be on in a little while. Since the architect's services right at this moment are pretty critical I didn't want to have to leave a rezday celebration dance in the middle, so we made plans for the 6th instead.

While I was waiting for the architect to show up I went over to Artstock and contemplated some of the work. I was learning quite a bit about myself and humanity at one particular display when some of the artists showed up. What beautiful enlightenment they were able to provide! I thank them for fully handing me a piece of the puzzle. Now I am rightfully contemplating my own life, the love I have to give, and how I give it. I believe powerful art should do that.